Articles

My father often told us a very interesting story with a good lesson. Once there was a king who had a bad habit of great interest in 'kemia' (an art that turns things into gold with usage of certain herbs; alchemy). Everyone who does that becomes addicted to it and it is worse than addiction to chess. You lose track of yourself and of your mind even moreso.

(I have met many friends who are victims of this hobby. You see them walking along, with their eyes glued on their feet looking this way and that and when they have any doubt about any herb they stare at it, touching it and smelling it).

The king was also interested in herbs, medicines etc. One of the ministers told him: "Huzoor, why are you so troubled? In your kingdom there is a certain water-carrier who is an accomplished chemist and knows this art of kemia quite well."

He replied: "So there is an expert of this art and I worry myself to death. Send four soldiers to bring him here!"

The water-carrier was brought before the king. He was dressed in torn, tattered clothes, loin cloth and a torn thick blanket. When the king saw his condition, he already had a great dislike for him. He asked him: "Do you know kemia?"

I hereby wish to present a little gift. In the Hadith, there is mention of a certain thing called talbeena, which Mullah Ali Qari says is made up of milk, honey and flour, and I have added a little saffron for flavour and taste. Once, some time ago, I prepared it and it turned out to be very delicious and I got the feeling that perhaps Hazrat will also like it. Only Allah knows how it has turned out this time, but I have again mixed the same ingredients.

In Bukhari it is reported from Hazrat Aisha Radhiallahu Anhaa who says: "I have heard Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam say: "Verily talbeena cures the heart of the sick one and takes away his sorrows'." According to Bukhari, she ordered that talbeena be taken and that it is a beneficial medicine. Hafiz Ibn Hajar says in 'Fath ', it is reported by Ahmed and Ibn Majah that Aisha Radhiallahu Anhaa reported "Make use of talbeena, the beneficial medicine," And Nisai adds: "I swear by Him in whose hands is the life of Muhammad, that talbeena cleans the stomach in the same Way as any of you uses water to wash dust from his face."

Some of the students who arrived (for the Ramadhaan program – 1394) were students who had spent many a Ramadhaan in the company of Hadhrat Raipuri. Amongst them were some brothers of great calibre. The Raipur attendants often asked them why their Sheikh had still not given them Ijazat. By remaining in the company of Hadhrat Raipuri, they reached even greater heights. Due to what they heard from these people, they started considering themselves to be ‘something’. That was very destructive. The secret of this art is that, as long as a person considers himself to be nothing, he will be successful. However, the moment he starts to consider himself as being great, he will never succeed. This is a fact that I have experienced many times in my life amongst the attendants and mureeds of my Elders.

I remember one of Hadhrat Madani’s answers to me. In a rather sharp tone he said: “Who is there that enters people into Bay’ah because he considers himself to be capable? Everyone who considers himself as competent is in fact incompetent. The successful ones are those who look upon themselves as being incompetent.”

On the 26th of Ramadhaan, news reached us of the Arab-Israeli war. Maulana Binori immediately decided to have a Bukhari khatam the following day. I could not see how that was possible.

I asked: “Where will you find readers for the Bukhari khatam? Where will you get the Paarahs?”

He replied: “There is a very large group of Ulama in Itikaaf this year. The majority of them are with you and a few are with me.”

I was still unconvinced, although I had heard that a very large group of people had come from various parts of the world because of my presence in Madina Munawwara. However, I never thought that there were so many Ulama amongst them.

Maulana Binori promised to organize the Paarahs. He sent some people to gather Paarahs from various Madrasahs since early that morning. I was completely surprised when the khatam started at four o’clock. By six o’clock (Madina Munawwara time) the khatam was completed. Salaah commenced at 5.30. After the khatam, Bhai Abdul Hafeez led the du’a. I believe it was due to the blessings of Maulana Binori that, that very same evening, it was announced over the radio that the war had ended.

NEW BOOK

99 INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF HAZRAT SHEIKHMOULANA IBRAHIM MIA رحمة لله علیھ Hazrat Sheikh Moulana Ibrahim Mia رحمة لله علیھ , khalifa of Hazrat SheikhZakariyya Khandelvi رحمة لله علیھ dedicated his life to the desire of his Sheikh,i.e. the establishment of the Majaalis of Zikr. To this end, Hazrat travelledextensively and spread the nur of zikrullah and inspired many people tochange their lives.

This book is a collection of interesting anecdotes and lessons as experiencedand narrated by Hazrat’s mureedeen.